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www.insidehalton.com |OAKVILLE BEAVER |Thursday, June 22, 2017 |24 Ladies Out Laughing did what they set out to do by Marta Marychuk O akville Beaver S ta ff Ladies Out Laughing (LOL) wrapped up its 10th and final comedy fundraiser on Friday, May 12, collecting $100,000 for cancer charities in 2017. Since LOL began, it raised more than $500,000 over 10 years. To commemorate the 10th year, organizers Chris Reidy and Deirdre Thomas signed up to participate in the Golden Spoke, a Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation series of five charity cycling events this summer. The comedy fundraiser started in 2008, when Thomas signed up for the Weekend to End Women' s Cancer after a close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thomas asked Reidy and another friend to join her. "Back then all those walks were not on my radar," adds Reidy. The women didn't want to turn to family or friends to raise the money. Instead, they came up with an idea -- a comedy night. Reidy' s sister knew Laurie Elliott, a comedian from Toronto. They pitched the idea to her to come to Oakville, with other female comedians, and she agreed. Elliott has been with the show since its inception. The first LOL was in the basement of a pub in Oakville. There was so much demand, they had to book two shows, with people switching floors when the first show was over. The event raised $6,000, which was their goal. The 10th and final Ladies Out Laughing comedy night, in support of several cancer charities had another sold-out at the OE Banquet Hall. Pictured are event co-organizers Darlene Burnham, left, and Chris Reidy. | Graham Paine/Metroland Reidy recalls wondering - "What have I done?" Darlene Burham joined in the third year of LOL, to develop artwork and help launch a new website. LOL attracted generous corporate support. In 2010, the women decided to move the comedy night to a bigger venue at the OE Banquet and Conference Centre in Oakville, which holds 500 people. While Thomas, Reidy and Burnham have been with LOL since the start, committee members have changed over the years. This year' s committee included Nancy Bradshaw, Andrea Richardson, Samantha Ireland, Janine Travers and Mary St James. Thomas, Burnham and Reidy participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer June 9-10. St James, from the 2017 LOL committee, will be cycling from Oakville to Miami in the Wellspring Peloton Challenge, Sept. 9-16. Richardson will be participating in One Walk to Conquer Cancer on Sept 9. Although the group didn't have formal meetings, Reidy says they all worked well with each other, becoming more sophisticated event fundraisers over the years. "We finally got it right last year," added Thomas. She said the success of the event would not have been possible without the help of countless volunteers, who helped cook food, sell raffle ticket, stuff gift bags and more. "We live in a great community." In spite of the success, the women had a "heart-to-heart" conversation about the future of the fundraiser and decided to leave LOL on a high note. Their goal was to make $500,000. This is the 10th year they have participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer. "We did what we set out to do," said Thomas. Over the years, LOL has supported a number of charities in the community: The RexallTM OneWalk to Conquer CancerTM, The Enbridge® Ride to Conquer Cancer®, Tour for Kids, Wellspring Birmingham Gilgan House, Tecasy Ranch - Knobby Tire Trek for Kids and the Lighthouse Program for Grieving Children. But, the women point out that LOL was more thanjust raising money. The event provided a safe platform for people to share their experiences. "Overall, it' s about hope. There are a lot of survivor stories. But, not everyone survives the battle," said Thomas, adding that it' s important to support each other. 2017 SUM M ER PRO G RAM S FO R A L L LEVELS A G E S 3 S UP / DANCE CAMPS DROP IN CLASSES INTENSIVES A G ES 4 - 6 A G E S 7 -1 2 A G ES 4 - 6 JULY+AUG 1 0 -1 3 JU L Y 1 4 -1 7 AUG 2 8 - 3 0 AUG J C L A S S E S F IL L Q U ICK LY. R E G IS T E R m i LIN E TO D A Y! |F a iry ta le T e a P a r ty D a n c e C a m p 17 - 21 JU L Y | 9AM - 12 NOON |M iniPops D a n c e S P e r f o r m a n c e C a m p 17 - 21 JU L Y | Half OR Full D ay |B u tterfly G a rd e n P a r ty D a n c e C a m p 21 - 2 5 AUG | 9AM - 12 NOON | A d v a n c e d D rop In C la s s e s | E v e ry | S u m m e r Intensive I 9 AM - 4 PM | S u m m e r Intensive I I 9 AM - 4 PM | B allet + A ero Intensive III 9 AM - 4 T u e s d a y W e d n e s d a y S T h u rsd a y | 7 - 13 y rs | 1 3 - 1 7 y rs PM | 8 y rs S up & REGISTER ONLINE OR TOUR OUR STUDIOS IN-PERSON FROM 6-8PM CHECK US OUT: THE DANCE STATION 1 8 0 0 APPLEBY LINE | BURLINGTON 905 632 5608